NBA trade buzz: Nets get set for deadline

SAMAMICO

FS Ohio

With the NBA trading deadline less than a week away, here is what’s making noise:

• FOX Sports Ohio sources all but guarantee Atlanta forward
Josh Smith will be moved. No one is quite sure where he might go, although Brooklyn, Dallas and Phoenix are mentioned most as possible destinations.

• San Antonio could emerge as a potential landing spot for Smith, according to an Eastern Conference GM. With Smith’s expiring contract, it is believed the
Spurs wouldn’t have to surrender much in return — and that coach Gregg Popovich and stars
Tim Duncan,
Tony Parker and
Manu Ginobili would be able to keep the sometimes-difficult Smith in line.

• One source said he believes Smith could be retained by
Hawks general manager Danny Ferry past the deadline, provided the offers aren’t to Ferry’s liking. “They won’t just give the guy away,” the source said. “(Smith) is practically an All-Star. You can deal with the contract situation later.”

• The
Nets are expected to be especially active, looking to make a major change to gear for a serious playoff run. Along with Smith, they supposedly have a strong interest in
Utah forward
Paul Millsap and Portland center
J.J. Hickson.

• Of course, sources say the Nets haven’t completely given up on the idea of somehow obtaining
Lakers center
Dwight Howard. But New Jersey realizes its options are limited. Just as the Nets did over the summer, if they want to make a strong play for Howard, they’ll likely need to get a third team involved.

• While many sources consider it unlikely, some don’t rule out the idea of the Hawks dangling Smith as part of package to obtain Howard, who was born and played his high school ball in Atlanta.

• Denver is fairly content with its current lineup, as the
Nuggets have been one of the hottest teams as of late. But the possibility exists they could make a smaller move at the deadline by dangling rotation players such as
Wilson Chandler,
Corey Brewer and
Anthony Randolph.

• The Nuggets supposedly wouldn’t mind adding Orlando guard
J.J. Redick, whose contract expires at season’s end. But sources say conversations involving Redick have all but disappeared after he indicated he wants to stay with the
Magic.

• Chicago and Philadelphia are two under-the-radar teams sources suspect will become more aggressive on the day before the deadline. The
Bulls and
76ers have started being more active just this past week. It’s also been reported the Bulls have a standing offer from Toronto for
Carlos Boozer and
John Lucas III.
Andrea Bargnani is said to be the centerpiece from the
Raptors’ end.

• The Raptors have also engaged the
Sixers in conversations centered on Bargnani, sources said. No word on what the Sixers would need to offer in return, although a Western Conference executive suspects it would involve center
Spencer Hawes.

• Oklahoma City is another team with plenty of assets. After losing to the Lakers and both games of the season series to Miami, the
Thunder are strongly considering a move, sources said. Thunder GM Sam Presti is likely dangling younger players and draft picks to land an offensively-gifted player to join
Kevin Durant and
Russell Westbrook.

• I’ll be tracking the trade buzz for FOX Sports Ohio up until the last second of the Feb. 21 deadline.
Here’s the previous batch. Keep checking back and follow me
on Twitter for the latest.